Taipei: Around 300 people joined an annual march in Taipei on Saturday to commemorate the 1959 Tibetan uprising, with organizers warning that China's "expansion of authoritarian rule will not stop in just one place."
According to Focus Taiwan, Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa, chairman of the Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, emphasized before the march that Tibet's history serves as a significant reminder to the global community, particularly Taiwan. He highlighted that China's influence has already extended to regions such as Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, and Hong Kong through methods like "transnational repression, united front infiltration and long-arm jurisdiction."
Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa stressed the importance of commemorating Tibetan Uprising Day in Taiwan, so the island nation's calls to defend Tibet's dignity and democracy resonate worldwide. Tibetan Uprising Day, observed on March 10, marks the 1959 protest in Lhasa against Beijing's increasing control, which resulted in the Dalai Lama's exile and around 150,000 Tibetans fleeing overseas, as per the Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan.
Since 2004, Tibetans in Taiwan and local NGOs have organized an annual march in Taipei in early March to honor Tibetan Uprising Day. Yeh Ta-hua, a commissioner at Taiwan's National Human Rights Commission, noted the enduring spirit of Tibetans who have resisted Chinese authority while defending their freedom, urging Taiwanese society to support Tibet in safeguarding autonomy and resisting transnational repression, the theme of this year's march.
Among the participants, university student Jacky Ling reflected on Tibetans' strong sense of identity, stating that Taiwan could learn from their preservation of culture and identity. He cautioned against external influences reshaping Taiwan's national identity.
John Isom, a retired lecturer from the University of California, Berkeley, shared his experiences attending similar events in the U.S. and appreciated Taiwan's respect for self-expression and freedom of assembly. He noted that Tibetans in Nepal face restrictions due to transnational repression, unlike the freedoms observed in Taiwan.
The march, which organizers reported drew 300 attendees, will be followed by a candlelight vigil at Liberty Square on Tuesday at 7 p.m.